Circuit interrupter



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'- CIRCUT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 16, 1941 5 Sheets-Shejet 2 wlTNl-:ssEs: INVENTOR @ifm f CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 16, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 13, 1946 CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Herbert L. Rawlins, Wlkinsburg, and James M. Wallace, Braddock, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application J anuaryl, 1941, Serial No. 374,685

(Cl. 20D-89) 40 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to circuit interrupters, and more particularly to circuit breakers and their operating mechanisms.

This invention is especially adapted for use in small reclosing circuit breakers wherein it has certain particular novel cooperation providing certain novel and useful results, however it should be understood that many features oi this invention are capable of use with other types of circuit breakers and even with other types of apparatus.

In automatic reclosing circuit breakers, it is sometimes desirable to have varying trip characteristics. Thus it is desirable in certain instances to provide for relatively quick rst opening, and a slower second opening to obtain better coordination with fuses when the circuit protected is subject to surges. Another advantage of a second time delay tripping is that it gives the fault an opportunity to burn clear. The breaker trippings after the second trip are preferably relatively fast to take care of faults which are not self-clearing.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide novel mechanism for controlling a reclosing circuit breaker.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel operating mechanism for a reclosing circuit breaker which is operative to lock the breaker contacts open in response to a predetermined number of successive reclosures thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a circuit breaker of the type which is adapted to automatically open and close the circuit in a plurality of successive cycles of operation, novel 'E means for providing an intermediate time delay opening of the breaker in any series of successive operations thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel arrangement of circuit breaker operating mechanism in a breaker of the type described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel compact arrangement of parts in a circuit breaker of the type described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel circuit breaker construction which is adapted to automatically open and close the circuit successively a predetermined number of times ber of successive reclosures thereof, but which is ineffective to maintain said contacts separated in response to any number of non-successive reclosures, or any number of successive reclosures less than said predetermined number.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon consideration Vof a detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, When taken in connection with the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 is a substantially central, longitudinal sectional view of one form of a circuit interrupter embodying the features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but taken from the opposite side thereof and showing certain of the parts in elevation and with the outer casing removed.

and then lock the breaker open in response to predetermined continuing electrical conditions of the circuit.

A further object of this invention is to provide in an automatic reclosing circuit breaker, novel means for maintaining the contacts thereof separated in response to a predetermined numi..

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2, ,with a portion of the supporting frame removed, and Y Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 3 but illustrating the position of the parts with the breaker contacts locked open.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention illustrated includes a circuit interrupter adapted to be contained in an insulating tubular casing 2, which may be of any desired insulating material, such as porcelain glass, or the like. The casing 2, as shownin Fig-1, has a closed bottom end portion and an open top. The open top is provided with an upper terminal cover assembly 4, and the closed b ottom of the casing is provided with a lower terminal assembly 6. An intermediate portion of the casing has a substantially cylindrical outer wall portion 8, upon which is mounted a cushioning sleeve Ill of rubber, ber or the like, and on opposite sides of which may be clamped supporting bracket halves l2 (only one of which is shown) as by bolts I3. The sup-porting bracket portions l2 are adapted to be extended at one end thereof to support the interrupter in an operative position.

The lower terminal assembly 5 is mounted at the closed bottom portion of the insulating casing 2 by means of a conducting bolt I8, extending through an aperture I9 in the closed end of casing 2, and the bolt is provided with an enlarged disc-like head portion 20 positioned within the casing, with packing material 22 interposed between the head 20 and the adjacent inner surface of the closed end of insulating casing' 2. The packing material 22 `may be of any desired packing material, preferably one which is resistant to oil, such, for example, as cork, liber or a synthetic rubber. Bolt I8 has a bore I4 therethrough, the outer end of which is closed by a threaded plug IB for the purpose of draining casing 2 when desired. The bolt I8 is secured in position by a nut 24 drawn up on the bolt against a washer 26, positioned between the nut 24 and the outer wall at the closed end of casing 2. A terminal strap 23 having connector elements 3| thereon, may be also secured to the bolt I8 by means of a second nut 30, as shown.

The upper terminal assembly 4. is in the form of a cover for the open end4 of the casing and, as will be hereinafter more fully explained, also acts to secure the support for the interrupter and operating mechanism in o-perative relation at the open end of the casing.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the cover 32 is provided with a transversely exn tending hollow portion for the reception of certain parts of the circuit breaker operating mechanism. and the top wall of this hollow portion is provided with. a threaded aperture for the reception of a screw threaded ller plug 34, so

that the supply of arc extinguishing huidv within the casing. 2 may be renewed when necessary. Cover 32 also includes a peripheral flange portion 36 adapted to seat on the upper end walls of casing 2, and this ange has at its outer edge a downwardly turned lip portion 38, to aid in properly positioning the cover on the open end of casing 2. Packing material 4Q is interposed between the cover flange 35 and the open end of the casing, and this material is preferably similar to packing material 22 previously described, Cover 32 is secured to the casing 2 by means of a support 42, xedly mounted on the outside of casing 2. Support 4-2 is in the form of an annulus which is substantially channel-shaped in cross section, with the channel facing the outer surface of casing 2. The annular support 42 is secured to casing 2 by cast metal or the like 44, which is poured in between the support 42v and the outer casing wall, so as to enter within the channel support 42 and between corrugations 4.6 provided on the outer surface of the casing to securely anchor the support 42 thereto. Cover 32 is preferably secured to support ring 42 by spaced bolts passing through integral outstanding ears (not shown) provided on the cover and supporting ring, respectively. The casing and its terminal assembly thus :Ear described are substantially like that disclosed and claimed in the copending application of J. M. Wallace, Serial No. 345,051, nled July 12, 1940, and assigned to the same assignee as this invention.

As stated above, cover 32 is adapted to secure a support for the interrupter and its operating mechanism in operative relation at the open end of casing 2. This support for the interrupter and its operating mechanism (as shown) includes an upper substantially rectangular open frame portion having top and bottom walls 52 and 56, respectively, and side walls 54. Depending from the bottom wall 5B of the upper rectangular frame portion, are a pair of spaced, substantially parallelly extending supporting plate members 58, for supporting the interrupting chamber B2 at the lower ends thereof. The upper rectangular supporting frame portion is provided adjacent the top wall 52 thereof, with oppositely positioned, outwardly extending supporting flanges 43, adapted to be positioned on top of the end wall of casing 2, and be secured in position by SCTGWS. 53

engaging flanges 43 and an integral lip 5l) formed on cover 32.

The interrupting chamber 62, includes a tubular insulating chamber portion G4 formed of any desired insulating material such, for example, as liber or the like, which is adapted to have one end thereof threadedly engaged with a threaded socket 6I] formed integral with the lower ends of supporting plates 58. The upper wall of socket Sil is provided with a plurality of spaced outlet passages 66, which are controlled by a disc-like valve member 68 mounted within insulating tube 64, and which operates to control the outlet passages in a manner to be hereinafter described. Insulating tube 54 of the interrupter chamber is provided at the other end thereof with an end cap lil,V threadedly engaged with the lower end of the insulating tube to close the same. The cap l@ is provided with passages 'I2 for the flow of fluid into arc chamber 52, and these passages are controlled by a check valve plate 'I4 adapted to be, seated over inlet passages 12, within arc chamber G2. End cap 'Iii is also provided with a substantially centrally located threaded aperture for the reception of a threaded xed contact 16.

A movable contact assembly is adapted to cooperate with xed contact i3, and includes a relatively short contact rod 'I8 located within interrupting chamber S2, and having an enlarged Contact portion 'F9 with a tapered outer end for engagement with fixed contact 1.5. Short contact rod 'I8 is adapted to have the upper end thereof, as viewed in the drawings, threaded into a bore provided centrally of an insulating contact sup-A porting rod 80, which is slidably mounted in a central aperture provided in socket EQ. The lower end of insulating contact rod 30 is provided with a counter-bore 82 for receiving a coil compression spring 84, adapted to be seated at the other end thereof on a liquid director member 86. The liquid director 86 is substantially circular in form and includes a base portion 88 having a substantially central aperture for slidably mounting the director on short contact rod 18, for movement between enlarged portion 'I9 of the contact rod and the lower end of insulating contact rod 86. Coil spring 84 normally biases the liquid director 86 towards. the enlarged end 'I9 of short contact rod 18. However, in the. closed position of the contacts, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1, spring 84 will be compressed, so that the liquid director Vwill be located adjacent to the lower end of insulating contact rod 80. The liquid director 8S is provided with passages therethrough for drecting the liquid into the path of an arc drawn when the contacts separate, and these include an outlet en located adjacent the enlarged contact portion "I9, and this opens into a divergent passage 32 in the director, which in turn communicates with. a plurality of spaced inlet passages 94, into which liquid contained in the interrupter chamber 62 is adapted to flow when the liquid director is moved upwardly. In the closed position of the contacts, liquid director 86 is adapted to rest on a stop ring 96 secured between a shoulder 98 on end cap "I0, and the lower end of insulating tube 64. Valve plate S8 at the upper end of interrupting chamber 62 is provided with an integral angular flange |00 adapted to form a substantially annular groove about the outer surface of insulating contact rod 80, for the reception of packing material IGZ to frictionally associate valve plate 68 with insulating contact rod 8U.

With the exception of contact supporting rod 80 being of insulating material, the interruptor structure described above is substantially the same as that described in the copending application of J. M. Wallace, Serial No. 374,684, iiled January 16, 1941, and assigned to the same assignee as this application, now matured as Patent No. 2,352,048, issued June 2i), 1944. Consequently, for a fuller understanding of the structure and operation of the interrupter, reference is hereby made to the above-mentioned copending application. Briey, the operation of the interrupter 62 is as follows. When contact supporting rod 80 is moved upwardly carrying with it contact rod 18 and contact portion 19, the liquid director 36 is held in engagement with stop ring 96, until the base 88 thereof is engaged by the enlarged contact portion 19, by the biasing action exerted by coil spring 84. However, as soon as the contacts separate an arc will be drawn therebetween causing vaporization of the arc extinguishing fluid which will build up pressure within the interrupting chamber 62. This pressure forces check valve plate 14 to seat on and close oli inlet passages 12, and upward movement of contact rod 80 carries valve plate 68 into a closed position with respect to outlet passages 65, to thereby eiectively seal the interrupting chamber B2 during the circuit interrupting operation. As soon as the enlarged contact portion 19 on contact support 18 engages wall 88 of the liquid director, the director is moved upwardly along with the contact, and liquid will flow through inlet passages 94 and be directed through outlet passage 90 which will now be positioned as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. .to direct liquid through the arc path. This lost motion between the contact and liquid director, when the circuit is interrupted, permits easy initial opening movement of the contacts and allow sufficient pressure to build up within the interrupter chamber 62. to close the valve 14, and permits the arc to reach an optimum length before subjecting the same to currents of arc extinguishing liquid. It will be noted that the pressure built up Within the interrupter chamber will also act on the relatively large contact supporting rod 80 to assist in moving contact 18 away from nxed contact 15, inasmuch as the supporting rod 80 fits in a piston-like manner in socket 60.

After the circuit is interrupted, the contacts may be reclosed and it will be apparent that as soon as contact supporting rod 80 moves downwardly, it will carry valve plate 68 with it into engagement with the upper edge of insulating tube 64, which is notched as at 6|, to permit free outlet of used fluid and any gases which may have been produced by the interrupting operation. At the same time, the head of liquid in insulating casing 2 will cause check valve plate 14 to raise and allow fresh uid to enter inlet passages 12 to replace the used liquid.

Contact supporting rod 85 is adapted to be actuated by an elongated actuating rod |04 threadedly engaged in a bore in the upper end of rod 80, and having the opposite end secured in a threaded socket .in the lower end of a connecting rod |05. The connecting rod |06 has an enlarged portion forming a shoulder |24, and the enlarged portion is adapted to be slidably mounted in a closure plug ||9 secured in upper wall 52 of the supporting frame. The upper end of connecting rod |05 is bifurcated for receiving the ends of a pair of toggle links ||0 pivotally secured to connecting rod |06 as by a pivot pin |08. The toggle levers l |0 are adapted to diverge and have their opposite ends slotted to receive fixed guide pins i2, respectively, mounted on integral supporting lug portions H4 formed on cover 32; A coiled compression spring I6 is adapted to be coiled about each toggle lever H0 toreact between the supporting pins ||2 and a shoulder formed on each toggle lever lil to normally bias actuating rod |04 in a direction to force contact portion 19 into engagement with xed contact 1E.

In order to separate the contacts, a solenoid coil ||8 is adapted to be mounted in the rectangular portion oi the supporting frame, and the coil is provided with a core |20 adapted to be drawn up into a center bore in the coil. The solenoid core |20 is movably mounted onv connecting rod |04, and is provided with a counterbore portion |22 for receiving therein a coil spring |23. Preferably, the core plug ||9 at the upper end of solenoid coil |8 is, like movable core |29, and sides 54 of the supporting frame, of a magnetic material, so as to form a closed magnetic path when plug ||9 is engaged by movable core |20.

The solenoid coil ||8 is adapted to be connected in series in the circuit through the interrupter, as Will be hereinafter described, and upon the occurrence of overload conditions in the circuit, the solenoid coil will attract movable core |20, and move the same upwardly without moving rod |04 or contact 19, until coil spring |23 engages the lower end |05 of, connecting rod |66. From this point on, further movement upwardly of movable core |20 will cause compression of spring |23, until the upper end of the core engages shoulder |24 on connecting rod |06 to deliver an impact on connecting rod. |04, to separate contact portions 19 and 16, notwithstanding any possible welding of the contacts together. This will cause contact 19 to move upwardly and it is carried for the completion of its stroke after solenoid core |29 engages plug core H9, by the force stored in coil spring |23. Coil spring |23 is preferably of such strength as to overcome the force exerted by toggle springs |56 after a predetermined strain thereof. Moreover, it may be noted that the force exerted by toggle springs l5 in a direction to cause engagement of contact portion 'I9 with xed contact 16, will decrease as the contact 19 moves upwardly, because of the toggle effect of levers H0. Moreover, the opening movement of the contacts is further aided by ythe pressure which may be developed by thearc formed when the contacts separate, acting to move Contact rod 19 upwardly, as described above.

Movable solenoid core |20 is provided adjacent the lower end thereof with oppositely projecting pins |26 having enlarged outer ends for reception in guide slots |28, formed in supporting plates 50, to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis. A rack |3| is adapted to be pivotally mounted on one of the pins |26 for engagement, in one position of solenoid core |29, with a pinion |30 mounted on a shaft |34 extending between, and rotatably mounted in the spaced frame members 58. A spring |32 is adapted to be coiled about guide pin |26, with one end thereof engaging movable core |20, and the other end thereof engageable with rack |3I, to normally urge the rack into engagement with pinion |30. It will be noted that the teeth on rack |3| are inclined downwardly so that in the upward motion of the rack with movable core |20, the teeth of the rack will slide freely over the teeth of pinion but on downward motion of the rack the teeth will engage pinion |30 to rotate the same in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4. A relatively large gear |30 is also xed to shaft |34, and this shaft, together with pinion |30 and gear |38, are biased in a counterclockwise direction by a spring |36 coiled about shaft |34, and having one end thereof engageable with the supporting frame, and the other end thereof engaging a pin |40 on gear |33. The pin |40 projecting from one side of gear |33 is adapted to control a trip controlling member in a manner to be hereinafter further speciiied.

A short stop lug |42 projects from the opposite side of gear |38 and is normally adapted to engage a lever |44 pivotally mounted on the supporting frame, as by the pivot pin |46, and engageable at the outer end thereof with shaft |34, so that, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, the stop pin |42, by its engagement with lever |44, limits movement of gear |38 in a counterclockwise direction under the influence of spring |36. A control lever is preferably pivotally mounted as at |48, on one supporting plate 56, and is provided at one corner of the free end thereof with a curved catch |52, insulatingly secured to control lever |50 in any desired manner, and adapted to be engaged by an adjustable stop lug |54 mounted in the free end of a bimetal element |56. Bimetal element |56 is supported from` the frame 58 by an angular bracket |58 and is of conventional construction, that is, it includes a pair of laminations of materials having different coef.-

cients of expansion intimately secured together, l

with the material having the larger coefficient of expansion comprising the lower lamination, so that upon being heated, the bimetal will defiect upwardly as Viewed in the drawings.

It can be seen, therefore, that the bimetal lug |54, normally, as shown in Fig. 3, prevents counterclockwise rotation of control lever |50. Clockwise rotation of control lever |50 about its pivot |48, is limited by a laterally projecting stop lug |60 integralwith the lever, and engageable with an edge of the adjacent supporting plate 58. At the other corner of the free end of control lever |50, there is pivotally mounted as at |62, a contact stop lever |64. This lever, at its upper portion, comprises a pair of legs pivoted on pivot pin |62, at opposite sides of control lever |50, and having laterally extending integral portions |63, connected at their outer ends by an integral stop portion |66, which is engageable with control lever |50 in the position of Contact stop lever |64 shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, to limit relative counterclockwise rotation thereof. One leg of contact stop lever |64, and control lever |50 are provided with lateral extensions |60 and |1|, respectively, which are apertured so that the ends of a coiled tension spring |13 may be hooked into these extensions to bias contact stop lever |64, relative to control lever |50, in a counterclockwise direction about pivot point |62. One of the legs of contact stop lever |64 is extended, as shown at |68, so as to be engageable by control pin |40 on gear |38, to normally maintain the contact stop lever in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, so that the stop portion |61 of the lever is maintained out of the path of movement of pin |26 on solenoid core |20. Gear |38 is adapted to drive a time delay means, comprising pinion |10 with which gear |38 meshes, gear |12 xed for rotation with pinion |10, and pinion |14 adapted to mesh with gear |12 for driving a paddle wheel |16, positioned below the level of the arc extinguishing liquid within casing 2.

In the operation of the mechanism thus far described, it can be seen that when the contacts are opened by sufficient energization of solenoid coil ||8 to draw movable core |20 upwardly into the coil, that even prior to movement of contact 19 by the solenoid, rack |3| will engage pinion |30, irrespective of the amount of travel of the contact necessary to interrupt the circuit. After interruption occurs, contact 10 is moved into engagement with fixed contact 16 by toggle springs I6. This circuit closing operation will always cause rack 3| to rotate the time delay mechanism a predetermined amount, inasmuch as rack |3| is secured to solenoid core |20 and, therefore, its movement is independent of the amount of separating movement of the contact rod |04 as pointed out above. As the contacts are reclosed following an initial circuit interrupting operation, it will be observed that rack |31 will rotate gear |38 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4 against the bias of spring |36, and this rotation will remove control pin |40 from contact stop lever |64 to permit this lever to be moved by spring |13 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot |62, to a position limited by connecting stop portion |66 and wherein the hook portion |61 of the lever is positioned at a point to intercept pin |26 on solenoid core |20, in the event a closely succeeding interrupting operation occurs. In the event the overload on the circuit has disappeared when the contacts are reclosed, gear |38 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction by spring |36 slowly, since spring |36 must operate the time delay gearing and paddle wheel |16, until eventually control pin |40 re-engages portion |68 of contact stop lever |64 and moves it back to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In this position, it is obvious that in the event an overload again occurs in the circuit, the contacts will be quickly separated by solenoid I8.

In the event, however, that upon reclosure after the iirst interrupting operation of the circuit breaker, the overload still exists on the circuit, solenoid coil 8 will immediately again lift movable core |20 upwardly, but its movement in this direction is now limited by hook portion |61 of contact stop lever |64, so that its movement will be halted before it is operative to raise contact 19. However, bimetal |56 is connected in series with solenoid coil I8 in. the circuit through the interrupter, as will be hereinafter pointed out, and after a predetermined period of time the bimetal becomes heated by the overload current, and deiiects to the position shown in Fig. 4, thus releasing catch 52 on control lever |50, so that this lever and stop lever |66 are now free to rotate as a unit about pivot |48 of lever |50, under the biasing force exerted by the solenoid pull through pin 26 on hook portion |61, which pull is exerted along a line offset with respect to pivot |48. 'I'his will free the pin |26 and permit the contacts to be opened in the manner previously described. After the circuit is interrupted the contacts will be reclosed by toggle springs ||6, with the reclosure again being delayed by operation of the time delay mechanism by rack |3I. If the fault has been cleared after the second reclosure, bimetal l56 will gradually assume its normal position shown in Fig. 3 to engage catch |52 on trip control lever |56, and gear |38 will be eventually rotated to the position where control pin |40 removes stop portion |61 of lever l 64 from the path 9 of movement of solenoid pin |26, and stop pin 42 engages lever |44. It should be noted that control lever |50 is normally biased to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, that is, where stop lug |60 thereof engages the edge of adjacent support plate 58, by a spring |5| coiled about pivot |48 and engaging stop lug |80, and adjacent supporting plate 58.

If the fault has not been cleared by the time the second reclosure is made, the breaker contacts are again quickly separated by solenoid coil ||8, and this time there is no time lag before the contacts separate because the bimetal has not had time to cool down, and consequently will remain in the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings; and, therefore, levers |64 and |50 may be rotated about pivot |48 by core pin |26 on the upward stroke of the solenoid core.

It can be seen from the foregoing that upon the occurrence of a continuing fault in the circuit, the breaker contacts will be opened a plurality of times, with the rst interrupting operation occurring substantially instantaneously in response to the occurrence of the fault, and the second closely succeeding interrupting operation will be delayed a predetermined time depending upon the time necessary to heat bimetal |56. Thereafter, any subsequent interruption will be relatively faster because the time delay means |56 being in a deflected position, will be inoperative to delay any such closely succeeding tripping operation. However, in the event that the fault clears after any reclosure of .the breaker contacts, the mechanism will reset so that whenever a continuing fault occurs at a later time, the same sequence of circuit interrupting operations will occur, that is, a rst quick opening of the contacts, a second time delay opening, and a quick opening thereafter. In connection with the intermediate time delay opening operation of the breaker contacts, it should be noted that the lost motion connection of the solenoid core with the movable contact, is utilized to prevent separation of the contacts for a time predetermined by bimetal |56. The above described arrangement of successive circuit interrupting operations has the advantage that better coordination with fuses can be obtained when the circuit being protected is subject to surges.

Means are provided in association with the mechanism described above for locking the breaker contacts in open circuit position, in response to a predetermined number of closely successive interrupting operations. The lever |44 Vpreviously referred to, is adapted to control this lockout means, and it will be noted that this lever is normally biased into engagement with shaft |34, by a spring |18 coiled about pivot |46, and engageable with a lateral extension of the lever and with socket portion 80 of the interrupting chamber. Also pivotally mounted on the lever pivot |46, is a lockout lever |80, which is biased with respect to lever 44, for movement in a counterclockwise direction, by spring |82 also coiled about pivot |46, and having opposite ends thereof engaging lever |44 and lockout lever 80. A lug |8| on lockout lever |80 is engageable with a lateral extension of lever |44 to limit movement of lockout lever |80 relative to lever |44 under the influence of its spring |82.

As previously described, each time the inter- H to its normal position shown in Fig. 3. However, in the event of the. occurrence of a continuing fault on the circuit, before gear |38 is restored to its original position following a reclosure of the breaker contacts, these contacts are again reopened and gear |38 upon a second reclosure of the contacts is further advanced a predetermined distance in a counterclockwise direction by rack |3|, to bring stop lug |42 into engagement with the upper edge of lever |44 to move lockout lever into engagement with rod |04 just prior to engagement of the contacts. Now if the fault still remains, the contacts are instantaneously reopened before gear |38 can be moved any substantial distance from its thus advanced position in a v.counterclockwise direction, at this time shoulder |84 onrod |04 cams lockout lever |80 outwardly in its upward movement so that when a third reclosure is attempted by toggle springs I6, the integral shoulder |84 on rod |04 will engage the lockout lever |80 and prevent reolosure of the circuit breaker contacts. It will be noted that pinion |30 is provided with a solid tooth portion |83which, when rack |3| attempts ,to reclose the contacts a third successive time, will be moved to engage and cam rack |3| out of engagementwith pinion |30, and thereby permit the rack and solenoid core |20 to drop down under the influence of gravity and spring |23 to the position shown in Figs. .l and 3. This will obviously permit spring |36 to reset gear |38 into engagement with the inclined end of lever |44. However lockout .lever |80 is maintained in the position shown in Fig. 4 to lock the contacts open by reason of its frictional engagement with shoulder |84.

To reset the breaker, that is, t0 place it in service again following an automatic lockout operation, itis necessary to raise the moving contact in order to release lockout lever |80 and permit spring |18 to move the lever away from rod |04 and thus release the movable contact and permit the same to be reclosed by toggle springs The movable contact may be manually lifted by means of a lever |86 secured to a shaft |81 extending transversely across the hollow portion of cover 32, with one end thereof extended outside of the hollow portion of the cover to have secured thereto an operating crank |90.A The crank |90 has an enlarged aperture |92 at the outer end thereof, for the reception of a hook stick operating member or the like. It will be noted that operating vcrank lever |86 is provided with a curved inner end |88, positioned at one side of toggle levers ||0 and beneath toggle pivot pin |08, so that although rod |04 and movable contact 19 may be raised by lever |86 manually, contact 19 cannot be moved into engagement with the fixed contact 16 by this lever, and consequently it is obvious that the breaker contacts are trip free of manually oper-A able lever |90 inasmuch vas they may be automatically opened by the current responsive tripping means, independent of operation of the manual control lever |90.

As in copending application of H. L. Rawlins and -J. M. Wallace, Serial 346,300, filed July 19, 1940, Patent No. 2,318,421, issued May 4, 1943, and assigned to the same assignee of this invention, the cover 32 may be provided with a manually operable locking means for maintaining the breaker contacts in an open circuit position when desired, asby a locking lever 2 I0 pivotally mounted on the outside of the cover as at 2|2 and normally resting on a supporting rib 2M. Operating crank |9il is provided with an integral stop shoulder 2HE positioned so as to be engageable with locking lever 2|0 when the latter is manually rotated clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, when the operating crank is in its lower position corresponding to the open circuit position of the contacts. The cover may also be provided with a sight glass |94 as in the aforesaid copending application for observation of a rod |96 mounted on a iioat |93, to render the level of arc extinguishing fluid readily visible from the exterior of the interrupter. Likewise, the cover may embody a terminal 2GB for connection of a circuit conductor thereto.

The electrical circuit through the breaker may be traced from the lower terminal 3|, conducting strip 28 to bolt iii, its enlarged head 2D, through coiled compression spring 'l5 engageable between the enlarged head 20 of bolt I8 and end cap lil of interrupter chamber 62, through xed oontact lt and contact rod 78. The insulating con- 'tact rod support 8i) is provided with an oi center bore it for receiving a exible conductor 2%2, which is connected to contact rod 19 as at 206, and this iiexible conductor is directed upwardly to be connected to one end of solenoid coil H8. The other end of solenoid coil ||8 is connected by a iiexible conductor 267, t0 the free end of bimetal l, and since the bimetal is supported on frame supporting plate 58, the circuit proceeds from the bimetal through the frame to cap 32 and terminal Zil. It can be seen, as previously referred to, that the coil H8 and bimetal |56 are thereby arranged in series. circuit relation so as to be effective to interrupt the circuit in the manner described above.

From the foregoing, it can be Seen that the circuit breaker constituting this invention is capable of giving a relatively quick or an instantaneous opening when an overload rst occurs on the circuit, and in the event the overload continues after automatic recl'osure 0f the breaker contacts, a second time lag opening will occur, and thereafter in ne event the fault continues the subsequent opening wiil be a quick or instantaneous one, and thereafter the breaker contacts will be locked in open circuit position. It will also be noted that the time delay means operative to delay a reclosure of the breaker contacts is dependent upon the viscosity of the arc extinguishing uid, so that the time delay in reclosing the breaker contacts will correspond to the time necessary for flushing the interrupting chamber so as to always insure a goed flushing action and replacement of used arc extinguishing liquid in the interrupting chamber $2, with fresh liquid. Another important feature is that this time delay in reclosure of the breaker contacts will be a constant value for any given viscosity of arc extinguishing fluid, due to the fact that the time delay is controlled by movement of the solenoid core, rather than by movement of the contacts, and because of the lost motion between the core and movable Contact, the movement of the core will always be suiiicient to engage rack I3! with the time delay reclosing means on each interrupting operation of the breaker. Also novel means have been disclosed for locking the .breaker contacts in an open circuit position in response to a predetermined numc'er of closely successive interrupting operations, but which will be inoperative to lock the breaker contacts open irrespective of the number of nonsuccessive interrupting operations of the breaker.

Certain ci 'the features of this invention not speciiically` claimed herein are' 'disclosed and claimed in our copending application Serial No. 564,442, filed November 2l, 1944, and comprising a division of this application which is assigned to the' same assignee of this invention.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is desired that the invention be not limited to this particular embodiment inasmuch as it will be obvious particularly to persons skilled in the art that many modifications may be made in this particular structure and still remain within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is desired that the invention be interpreted as broadly as possible and that it be limited only by what is expressly set forth in the following claims and by the prior art.

are claim as our invention:

l. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, a single means responsive to a predetermined circuit condition controlling separation of said contacts comprising a relatively quick acting control device,- means for automatically closing said contacts following a circuit interrupting operation, blocking means automatically eifective in response to a circuit interrupting operation for preventing operation of said control device to separate said contacts, and time delay means operative to render said blocking means ineffective to permit said control device to separate said contacts only a predetermined time after a first circuit interrupting operation, whereby upon the` occurrence oi said predetermined condition said control device will cause a quick separation of said contacts and thereafter said contacts Will automatically reclose, and if said predetermined con* dition Still exists said contacts will be separated a second time by said control device only a predetermined time after the first circuit interrupting operation.

2. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, and time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue.

3.. n circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling Separation of said contacts including means for relatively quickly separating said contacts in response to predetermined circuit conditions, means responsive to a 'l first circuit interrupting operation for preventing separation of said contacts by said contact controlling means, time delay means also responsive to said predetermined circuit conditions for rendering said lastmentioned means ineffective a predetermined time after a iirst circuit interrupting operation in the event said predetermined conditions remain on the circuit.

4. In a circuit interrupter, separable Contact means, electromagnetic means for separating said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means having a part biased to move in response to a circuit interrupting operation to one position for preventing separation of said contacts under the influenceA of said electromagnetic 13 means, and timing means responsive to operation of said contacts for moving said part away from said one position a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts.

5. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, movable stop means adapted to move in response to operation of said contact closing means to a position to prevent operation of said quick acting means to open said contacts, and time delay means for maintaining said stop means in said position a predetermined time interval.

6. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response t a circuit interrupting operation, movable stop means adapted to move in response to operation of said contact closing means to a position to prevent operation of said quick acting means to open said contacts, and time delay means responsive to a condition of said circuit formaintaining said stop means in said position a predetermined-time interval.

'7. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, means for separating said contacts in response to a' predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means for delaying closing movement of said contacts including an actuating member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by each operation of said reclosing means, movable stop means movable in response to advancement of said member to one position for preventing operation of said contact separating means to open said contacts, means for slowly returning said member to its original position to restore said stop means to its original lposition a predetermined time after advancement of said member, and time delay means responsive to a condition of said circuit also eifective to restore said stop means vto its original position.

8. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, means for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means for delaying closing movement of said contacts including an actuating member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by each operation of said reclosing means, means for releasably holding said contacts separated, said last mentioned means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member after it has been advanced a predetermined amount, movable stop means movable in response to advancement of said member for preventing operation of said contact separating means to open said contacts, means for slowly returning said member to its original position to restore said stop means to its original position a predetermined time after advancement of said member, and time delay means responsive to a condition of said circuit also effective to restore said stop to its original position.

9. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including means for relatively quickly separating said contacts n response to predetermined circuit conditions, means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operation for preventing separation of said contacts by said contact controlling means, time delay means also responsive to said predetermined circuit conditions for rendering said last mentioned means ineffective a predetermined time after a first circuit interrupting operation in the event said predetermined conditions remain on the circuit, and means resetting said contact separation preventing means in the event said predetermined conditions are removed from the circuit.

10. In a circuit interruptor, separable contacts, means for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means for delaying closing movement of said co-ntacts including an actuating member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by each operation of said reclosing means, means responsive to predetermined advancement of said actuating member for preventing reclosure cf said contacts, movable stop means movable in response to advancement of said member for preventing operation of said contact separating means to open said contacts, and means for slowly returning said member to its original position to restore said stop means to its original position a predetermined time aiter advancement of said member.

il. In a circuit interruptor, separable contacts, means for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition, means for automatically closing said contacts iin response to a circuit interrupting operation, means for delaying closing movement of said contacts including an actuating member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by each operation of said reclosing means, a stop member pivotally mounted on a movable support and biased for movement relative to said support to an active position but normally held in an inactive position by said actuating member, a part movable with said contact separating means engageable with said stop member in its active position in a manner to bias said support for movement upon an attempt by said contact separating means to separate said contacts, and time delay means responsive to said predetermined circut condition for permitting movement of said support and allowing separation of said contacts.

12. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, a single means responsive to a predetermined circuit condition controlling separation of said contacts comprising a relatively quick acting control device, means for automatically closing said contacts following acircuit interrupting operation, blocking means automatically eiective in response to a circuit interrupting operation for preventing operation of said control device to separate said contacts, time delay means operative to render said blocking means ineffective to permit said control device to separate said contacts only a predetermined time after a first circuit interrupting operation, whereby Iupon the occurrence of said predetermined condition said control device will cause a quick separation of said contacts and thereafter said contacts will automatically reclose, and if said predetermined condition still exists said contacts will be separated a second time by said control device only a predetermined time after the first circuit interrupting operation, said closing means eiecting a second reclosure of said contacts after the Vsecond separation, and said time delay means effective to maintain said blocking means ineffective at least a predetermined time after said second reclosure, whereby if said predetermined condition still exists the third successive separation of said contacts will be eiected quickly like the iirst separation.

13. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, a single means responsive to a predetermined circuit condition controlling separation of said contacts comprising a relatively quick acting control device, means for automatically closing said contacts following a circuit interrupting operation, blocking means automatically effective in response to a circuit interrupting operation for preventing operation of said control device to separate said contacts, time delay means operative to render said blocking means ineffective to permit said control device to separate said contacts only a predetermined time after a rst circuit interrupting operation, whereby upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition said control device will cause a quick separation of said contacts and thereafter said contacts will automatically reclose, and if said predetermined condition still exists said contacts will be separated a second time by said control device only a predetermined time after the iirst circuit interrupting operation, said closing means effecting a second reclosure of said contacts after the second separation, said time delay means effective to maintain said blocking means ineffective at least a predetermined time after said second reclosure, whereby if said predetermined condition still exists the third successive separation of said contacts will lbe effected quickly like the first separation, and means responsive to said third separation of said contacts to prevent reclo-sure thereof.

14. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling sepa-ration of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation -by said quick acting means for a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue, and a second time delay means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operation to cause disengagement of said rst time delay means and quick acting means a predetermined longer time thereafter so that if said predetermined conditions are not present upon reclosure of said contacts, said contacts will be quickly separated if said conditions appear at a later time.

15. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including means for relatively quickly separating said contacts in response to predetermined circuit conditions, means responsive to a circuit interrupting operation to automatically reclose said contacts, means responsive to a iirst circuit interrupting operation for preventing separation of said contacts by said contact controlling means, time delay means also responsive to said predetermined circuit conditions for rendering said last-mentioned means ineffective a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions remain on the circuit.

16. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for separating said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means biased t0 move in response to a circuit interrupting operation to a position where it .mechanically blocks a succeeding circuit interrupting operation of said electromagnetic means, and time delay means responsive to op eration of said contacts for moving said blocking means to a non-blocking position a predetermined time after a first reclosure of said contacts.

17. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for separating said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically mechanically engageable with said contact separating means to delay an attempted closely successive circuit interrupting operation for a predetermined time following a, rst reclosure of said contacts, and timing means responsive to reclosure of said contacts for disengaging said time delay means after said predetermined time has expired Ito permit said electromagnetic means t0 quickly separate said contacts at a later time.

18. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue, second time delay means for delaying closure of said contacts and adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by closing movement o1" said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said rst time delay means disengaged from said quick acting means but permitting said engagement when advanced.

i9. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response `to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue, second time delay means for delaying closure of said contacts and adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by closing movement of said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said iirst time delay means disengaged from said quick acting means but permitting said engagement when advanced, and means biasing said second time delay means to reset the same a predetermined time after an advancement thereof.

20. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interruptingoperation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a. predetermined time after reclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue, second time delay means for delaying closure of said contacts and adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by closing movement of said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said rst time delay means disengaged from said quick actingmeans but permitting said engagement when advanced, means biasing said second time delay means to reset the same a predetermined time after an advancement thereof, and normally inactive means for maintaining said contacts separated having a part positioned t be engaged by a part advanced by advancement of said second time delay means to render said normally inactive means active to maintain said contacts separated in responseto a predetermined number of successive circuit interrupting operations.

21. In circuit interrupting means, separable contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means forA separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosingsaid contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a, circuit interrupting operation for delaying a closely succeeding circuit interrupting operation by said quick acting means for a predetermined time afteireclosure of said contacts in the event said predetermined conditions continue, second time delay means adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount by closing movement of said contacts, said second time delay means normally maintaining said first time delay means disengaged from said quick acting means but permitting said engagement when advanced.

v22. In circuit I interrupting means, separable contacts, means controllingv separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automaticallyv reclosing said contacts inY response to a circuit interrupting operation,`time delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting'.l

`23. In circuit interrupting means, separableV contacts, means controlling separation of said contacts including relatively quick acting means for separating said contacts in response to predetermined conditions, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to acircuit interrupting operation, vtime delay means automatically engageable with said quick acting means in response to a circuit interrupting 'operation for delaying a. closely succeeding circuit interruptpal-t positioned to. be engaged by a part advanced by advancement oi said second time delay means to render saidnormaily inactive means active to maintain said contacts separated in response to a predetermined-number oi' successive circuit interrupting operations.

ze. ln a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means lor separating said contacts, means Ior automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, latcli means movable in response to a first circuit' interrupting operation to a position preventing a second succeeding separation of said contacts by vsaidelectromagnetic means, a bimetal controlled latch element maintaining said latcn means in saidposition, and said blinetal latcn element I'being responsive to predetermined circuit conditions-to release said laten means and permit said electromagnetic means to again separate said contacts.

25. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, electromagnetic and Ibimetallic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions Ior controlling separatlon of said contacts, means automatically ciosmg said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means normally preventing control 0I' contact separation by said bimetallic means, and means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operation under the control of said electromagnetic means for rendering said bimetallic means operative to control a second circuit interrupting operation.

26. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, electromagnetic and 1oimetallic means responsive to predetermined/circuit conditions for controlling separation of said contacts, means automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means normally preventing control of contact separation by said lbimetallic means, means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operationunder the control of said electromagnetic means i'or rendering said bimetallic means operative to control a second circuit interrupting operatiOn, said bimetallic means deflecting to a non-controlling position when responding to said predetermined conditions,

whereby avthird successive circuit interrupting operation will be controlled by said electromagnetic means.

27. In a circuit interrupter, separable contacts, electromagnetic and bimetallic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions for controlling separation of said contacts, means automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting'operation, means normally preventing control of contact separation by said bimetallic means, means responsive to a first circuit interrupting operationV under the control of said electromagnetic means for rendering said bimetallic means operativetocontrol a second circuit interrupting operation, and time delay means ation for restoring said bimetallic means to its faaio'sgooo normal condition iagpredeterminegd timaafter "reclosure of saidicontacts.

A2,8.In `-a circuit interruptor, Aseparable contactaslidably mountedecontact actuatingimeans, electromagnetic -means Lresponsive to .predeterrnined circutconditions :for.=mov;ing saicLactuating ,means Y in (a direction ..to,.sep.aratesaidy contacts, means 4Vfor V=.antomatically `rec1osing sai.d contactsinresponse to acircuitinterruptingoper,- ation,l a stop lug son said r`actuatingmeanscaipivoted ilatolc biased for movement to aposition in the -pattiof.movement:psaidlug to ,prevent separatioii .of said .contacts .by said Lelectromagnetic .means normally-maintaining saidlatch out 'de the natirofnlovcment ofesaidtluasaid last-.mentionedmeans .beinaresnonsive .tota cir.- cuit interrupting operation to :.pcrmitmovement of .said ,latch to said ,position Y 2.9.- In `acircuitinterruptor,,separable contacts siidably mounted Contact actuating -meansneleetromasnetio means responsive @predetermined circuit 4ooeditions 4for Yraming said .actuating means in `a direc I1'to.separatetsaidcontacts meaiisifQlalitoma ,llyreolosinssaid contactsin response to ,a ci t ,interdiction operation, Aa Stop logon,saidactoatiname ariyoted1atcn biased .f o1' `iciovemerit ,to position in the nath pf movement of Said .his .to prevent separation o f Said contacts by said electromagnetic means, means normally maintaining .said ,laten ,outside the path of movement of said lngsaid last-mentioned means beifis .responsive to .circnitinterfactice operation `to .ne mit .movement .of said latch to vsaid position, `a libirrietal `contraireed ,latch member for maintaining ,said rivoted latch at said positie s, and .said loirrietal latcbresponsive to the'continliedrexistence o f predetermined circuit conditions to release `said pivote@ latch and Dermit Said electromagnetic means to ,again separate said contacts,

30. In a circuit interruptor, .Spalable rcontacts, (electromagnetic means responsive to/predetermined circuit conditions vfor 7separating L said contacts, means automatically closing said contacts in response to a circuit `interr-uptingoperatio'n, normally inactive bimetallic means, means responsive to' a iirstcircuit interrupting operation'to render said'bimetallic means capableof preventing a closelyV succeeding contact separating operation'by said `el'ectromagnetic means, and

said bimetallic means at least when preventing contact separation being also responsive tol-said predetermined' circuit conditions to kpermit said electromagnetic means to elicot a succeeding cirF cui-t interrupting operation, whereby such succeeding circuit interrupting operation will be delayed a predetermined time by said bimetallic means.v

31. In a vcircuit interruptor, separable contacts, electromagnetic means responsive to predetermined circuit conditions for separating -said contaots, means automatically closing said contacts in response to .a circuit interrupting operation, normally inactive bimetallic means, means responsive to a lirst circuit interrupting operation to render said bimetallic means capable of preventing a closely ysucceeding contact ,separating operation by said electromagnetic means, said bimetallic means at least when` preventing contact separation'being also responsive to said predetermined circuit conditions to permit said electromagnetic means to effect a succeeding circuit interrupting operation, whereby such succeeding circuit interrupting operation will be delayed a predetermined time by said Lbimetallic means.

CII

'20 and lfirieansfor automatically :resetting fsaid :b1- metallic; means toiitszinactive condition =falpredetermined itimegsafter .la rst .circuit Ainterrupting operation-soithat.in .tlieeventsthasltcceedingicircuit;interruptingxroperaton doesinot nloselysucceed the iirstzit .will :not .beidelayedflbycsaid bimetallic means.

f and said bimetallic means deecting to an Linactive :position -when responding to :said api-edetermined conditions, Aso `that `said electromagnetic means may eirect aitbird. circuit-,interrupting operation without delay.

A3.3. :The combination of acircuitibreakermverloaderesponsiveimcans ior..'automatically and 1instanztatneously :opening :the :,breaker, kmeans Yresponsive vto an icpening ,fof tthe breaker r for automatically reclosing ithelzbreaker, auxilia'ry imeans for directly 4r,restraining .a further automatic opening by said `overload-responsive Lmeans ttor a :predetermined Jtime :interval in 'response yto V'a predetermined freclosing voperation, fand fm'eans for `removinfgmsaid restraint after said-timeint'erval.

:34. In ,ani-automatic reclosi-ng circuit lbreaker, separable contacts, a single means Ifor ycausing separation ,-,of vsaid contacts to open 'the circuit, said contact separating means being responsive to -a predetermined circuit-'condition 1for `causin'g a relatively -quick Aseparation or 'said contacts, means responsive to acircuit interrupting operation to automatically close said contacts,v .and means automatically responsive to a .predetermined circuit opening ari'd reclos'ing operatio'ri'for delaying themext' succeeding circuitA opening .operation iiy said contact separating means -for ,a predetermined time after .the circuit .is `closed ,so that4 if said condition still exists said .next .opening'of the Circuit will be delayed.

3.5, vIn a circuit interrupter, `separable vcontact means electromagnetic means vfor causing ysepa- V ration of said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said .contacts .in response to `a circuit interrupting operation, normally inactive time delay means, means .responsive to a. Vpredetermined circuit interruptingoperation for rendering .said time `delay meansactive .to control movement of said electromagnetic meansand thereby delay an attempted closely successive l.circuit finterrupting voperation atleast for apredctermined time .following a rst 'reclosure of .Said contacts.

36. The combination of acircuit breaker, overload-responsive means for automatically and kinstantaneously opening the breaker, means responsive to an opening of the breaker for automatically reclosing the breaker, auxiliary means for directly restraining a further automatic lopening by said overload-responsive means for a predetermined time interval in response to a vpredetermined reclosing operation.

37. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for causing separation of said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means, means responsive to a predetermined circuit opening and closing of said interrupter to render said time delay means effective to delay movement of said electromagnetic means and thereby delay an attempted successive circuit interrupting opperation, and said last mentioned means being biased to slowly return to a position at which said time delay means is rendered ineective to delay movement of said electromagnetic means, whereby movement of said electromagnetic means Will be delayed by said time delay means only in the event said electromagnetic means attempts to interrupt the circuit Within a predetermined .time following said predetermined opening and reclosing operation.

38. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for causing separation of said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means, means adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount in response to a circuit opening and reclosing operation of said interrupter, means responsive to advancement of said operation responsive means a predetermined amount to render said time delay means eiective to delay movement of said electromagnetic means and thereby delay an attempted successive circuit interrupting operation,- said operation responsive means being biased to return to a position wherein said time delay means is inactive, and second time delay means for delaying return movement of said operation responsive means, whereby movement of said electromagnetic means will be delayed by said time delay means only in the event said electromagnetic means attempts to interrupt the circuit Within a predetermined time following said predetermined opening and reclosing operation.

39. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for causing separation of said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to -a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means, integrating means ladapted .to be advanced a predetermined amount in response to a circuit opening and reclosing operation of said interrupter, means responsive to advancement of said integrating means a predetermined amount to render said time delay means eiective to delay movement of said electromagnetic means and thereby delay an attempted successive circuit interrupting operation, said integrating means being biased -to return to a position wherein said time delay means is inactive, second time delay means for delaying return movement of said integrating means, whereby movement of said electromagnetic means will be delayed by said time delay means only in the event said electromagnetic means attempts to interrupt the circuit Within a predetermined time following said predetermined opening and reclosing operation, and means responsive .to a predetermined greater advancement of said integrating means to prevent reclosing of said contacts.

40. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, electromagnetic means for causing separation of said contacts, means for automatically reclosing said contacts in response to a circuit interrupting operation, time delay means, second time delay means for delaying reclosing movement of said contacts and having an element adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount in response to a circuit reclosing operation of said interrupter, means responsive to advancement of said element a predetermined amount to render said iirst mentioned time delay means eiective to delay movement of said electromagnetic means and thereby delay an attempted successive circuit interrupting opera tion.

HERBERT L. RAWL'INS. JAMES M. WALLACE. 

